On October 28, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani inaugurated the strategic natural gas pipeline project extending from Erbil to Duhok, with a total length of 198 kilometers and a cost of 591 million US dollars, implemented by KAR Company.
In a speech delivered during the inauguration ceremony in Duhok, the Prime Minister emphasized that the natural resources of Kurdistan belong to all the people of Kurdistan, and are not the property of any individual, political party, or group.
Today, we inaugurated a $600m pipeline delivering gas to power plants.
Progress looks better in the long view:
In this cabinet, we built new pipelines, doubled gas production, and brought 24-hour electricity to 4+ million people — a win for citizens, investors and the economy. pic.twitter.com/XtfhxVVxNt
— Masrour Barzani (@masrourbarzani) October 28, 2025
Below is the text of his speech:
In the name of God, the Great and Merciful
Dear guests,
Welcome, and thank you for attending. Before anything else, I thank God for giving us the opportunity to complete and deliver such projects in service of the people of Kurdistan. I would like to express my gratitude to the investors, contractors, and professionals who contributed to realizing this important project.
Previously, there was a power station here established by Mr. Ahmed Ismail, but due to a shortage of fuel, diesel, gas and oil, it could not operate as intended. That is why we decided to extend a natural gas pipeline from Khor Mor to Erbil and onwards to Duhok, enabling these power plants to resume operation. I would like to thank my colleague Sheikh Baz Karim and KAR Company for their efforts. In just a year and a half, they successfully completed this major undertaking.
This is part of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s reform agenda, aiming to maximize the benefits from the Region’s natural resources and deliver improved public services to its citizens.
After the KRG expanded gas production and strengthened cooperation with Dana Gas and other companies, including KAR Company, gas output has now doubled compared to previous years. This has significantly improved electricity supply across the Kurdistan Region, and in the future, it will allow Kurdistan not only to provide 24-hour electricity for its own people but also to supply power to other parts of Iraq and neighboring regions.
This project also contributes to environmental protection, as natural gas is much cleaner than diesel and gasoil, reducing air pollution and health risks. It is also more cost-effective, meaning lower expenses and less financial pressure on citizens.
The government is implementing additional projects to expand gas production, including a pipeline between Khor Mor and Chamchamal, which is also part of the KRG’s strategic energy plan.
Overall, the Kurdistan Region is rich in natural resources, gas, oil, and minerals, and these resources are the property of all the people of Kurdistan, not of any individual or political entity. We must manage and use them responsibly for the benefit of every citizen across all provinces and districts.
The Runaki Project, which aims to provide 24-hour electricity across the Kurdistan Region, is already serving more than four million people. Many major cities and towns now have continuous power supply, and by next year, we hope the entire Kurdistan Region will achieve full 24-hour electricity coverage. This strategic project will further increase electricity generation capacity and support the implementation of the Roonaki initiative.
We also hope to expand cooperation with the federal government, so that both sides can support each other in extending power and energy services to the Kurdistan Region and beyond.
Additionally, the government has future plans to utilize solar energy. The Ministry of Electricity is preparing programs that will allow citizens to generate and use solar power, supported through bank loans and coordinated with government mechanisms to make this accessible and practical.
Despite facing many challenges, obstacles, and pressures, thanks to the dedication of our teams, we have managed to implement these projects and turn long-held ambitions into reality. I would like to thank the Ministry of Electricity, the Ministry of Natural Resources, and all their staff for their hard work, as well as the Runaki Project team for their ongoing commitment.
These projects will continue, and I hope we can do even more to serve the people of Kurdistan. Once again, I extend my gratitude to Sheikh Baz Karim, Ahmed Ismail, Minister Kamal, and all the engineers, workers, and companies involved in bringing these projects to life. I wish you continued success and good health.
Finally, I call on all citizens to protect the environment. This project is part of cleaning Kurdistan’s air, but everyone can help, by conserving electricity, reducing waste, and caring for our surroundings. In doing so, we can together build a cleaner, stronger, and more prosperous Kurdistan.
Once again, I wish you all health and success. May Kurdistan continue to prosper.
original article (in Kurdish)
—